The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 260 Investment Objects
After seeing the orderliness of Qida, the capital of the Karat Khanate, and seeing the majestic and cleanliness of Jinmen City in Shazhou, Ibrahim Khan looked at the dilapidated and messy Surat City in front of him. I immediately felt a strong contrast.

Well, it seems that a city without the participation of Qi people in its construction is the normal state of this region.

Although there is still no shortage of luxurious mansions of princes and nobles and luxurious mansions of merchants in Surat, most of them are low and dilapidated wooden houses and earthen houses. The roads on the streets are also full of potholes, and because of the construction of countless temporary buildings, It makes the road look cramped and messy.

There are also many beggars and refugees in the market. They are unkempt and have dull expressions. Only when they see passers-by passing by will they cheer up, show hope, and ask for some charity.

The market is packed with people, shacks and shops are crowded together, and vendors selling tea, spices, seafood and all kinds of treasures line the streets.

The smells of curry, grilled meat and flowers fill the air, and the noise and chaos of the city can make you dizzy. Carriages, pedestrians, livestock and wild dogs compete for limited space in the crowded streets, occasionally erupting with vicious curses from the wealthy and low wailing pleas from the untouchables.

Dilapidated buildings continue to extend around the city, and the dirt and grass on their roofs remind people of the barren land of the city. But even within this impoverished city, a few ornate palaces, merchant houses and temples still stand, struggling to retain their former glory.

At the edge of the port, there are many sea ships docked, and the tired sailors on the ships gather goods from all over the world here, and then flow them in the market, or transport them to the hinterland, bringing wealth and vitality to the city.

Ibrahim Khan couldn't understand why the Qi people set up their office responsible for India's foreign affairs in this city. It was neither the political center of India nor the commercial center of the region, but just a declining place. Ordinary port city.

Is it just because Surat was the first trading port where Qi State established a commercial stronghold that it has been reluctant to leave?

After resting for two days in Surat, several Qi officials made preliminary contact with them.

Similarly, the Qi people issued a warning and did not want major changes in the situation in Persia. They asked Nadir to negotiate with the Safavid dynasty of Persia to resolve the conflicts and differences between the two parties if conditions permitted.

As an "impartial" third party, Qi Guo is willing to provide necessary guidance, suggestions and a suitable location for negotiations between the two parties.

Regarding Nadir's request, he wanted to have in-depth economic exchanges with Qi and strengthen trade exchanges between them. The people of Qi showed strong interest and agreed to open a trade channel from Herat to Kandahar. The two sides would provide caravans with exchanges. (Businessman) provides necessary security.

When Ibrahim Khan vaguely proposed that he wanted to purchase a large amount of ordnance supplies from Qi, especially advanced artillery and muskets, the people of Qi were obviously hesitant about this, but did not reject it directly. They just mentioned that this need to be A request was made to report to their superior.

No rejection means infinite possibilities, and Ibrahim Khan has great expectations for this.

A few months ago, although Nader severely defeated the Safavid army in the battle of Mayame, the opponent's new army equipped with firearms really caused Nader's army to suffer a lot. If it were not for the extraordinary courage and perseverance of General Ahmed who oversaw the battle, the cavalry unit that launched the flank attack was almost defeated by the new army with intensive volleys of gunfire. In the end, they just paid the price of losing more than a thousand cavalry and entered the imperial army array. Only then did the new army collapse. Then they lost control and were killed by Nadir's army, winning the final victory.

It is said that at the beginning of the battle, the Imperial troops, who underestimated the enemy's advance, charged forward in a swarm before their artillery units could catch up. Otherwise, under the repeated bombardment of dozens of artillery pieces from the other side, it would be impossible for the cavalry troops to rush into the formation quickly. Even if they rush close to the enemy, they will be blasted away by artillery and cannot pose a threat to the empire's strict military formation.

After the war, Nadir did not launch a retaliatory massacre against the captured Imperial Army soldiers because of the serious losses of his troops. Instead, he surrendered all the thousands of captured New Army soldiers for his own use.

Those captured imperial officers received extremely high courtesy. Not only were they promised to give them military pay and treatment no less than that of the Safavid dynasty, but they were also rewarded with houses, land, and a large number of slaves, so that they could devote themselves wholeheartedly. Surrender to Nadir to strengthen Nadir's military power.

However, although the combat power of firearms troops is far greater than that of traditional cold weapon troops, they are very expensive. After one battle, more than 30% of the muskets equipped by soldiers will be damaged to varying degrees. After a few more battles, Almost all the weapons have to be scrapped and need to be re-equipped, and the consumption of the accompanying ammunition is even more staggering.

Therefore, in order to maintain the combat effectiveness of the army, the Nader Military Group must obtain stable reinforcements that can continuously replenish weapon losses.

In the early 17th century, after the Ottoman Empire's firearms force, the Ganisari Corps, defeated the powerful Safavid Empire's "Red Headed Army" in the Battle of Chaldiran, a wave of "firearms" was launched in Central Asia. trend. Gunmakers from the Ottoman Empire introduced firearms making techniques to Khorasan and other parts of Central Asia. By the early th century, firearms craftsmen in cities such as Samarkand, Mashhad, and Bukhara were able to imitate matchlocks and light artillery. Andijan, Tashkent, and Ashgabat were the famous firearms smuggling trade centers at that time.

This enabled Nadir's army to be equipped with a large number of firearms, so that its combat power far exceeded that of the surrounding tribes. It also drove the ignorant and backward Afghans to flight, and quickly stabilized the rule of the Khorasan region. However, most of the firearms exported from these areas are "hand-made". Not only are the craftsmanship backward and the quality unstable, but the production efficiency is extremely low.

The muskets and artillery seized from the new army of the Safavid dynasty looked like very high-end gadgets at first glance. They not only had fast shooting speed, high stability, and few faults, but also had advanced technology, simple operation, and very convenient maintenance. The quality of the firearms passed from Europe is even higher.

The weapons equipped by the new imperial army were naturally provided by the people of Qi. I heard that most of the weapons and equipment of the Ottomans next door also came from Qi, and they played a very crucial role in the confrontation with the European coalition forces.

Therefore, if we can get on the line with the people of Qi and carry out trade with them, whether we can make money or not is secondary, but we must be able to obtain enough weapons and equipment from them.

From Kandahar, to Jinmen City, and finally to Surat, after talking with waves of Qi people, Ibrahim Khan keenly discovered that the Qi people did not seem to be who they claimed to be. Wholeheartedly support and help the Safavid dynasty to restore its imperial glory. Yes, the people of Qi also restricted and guarded against the Safavid dynasty to a certain extent to prevent the former empire from becoming powerful again and causing a backlash to Qi.

They were happy to see the Khorasan region maintain a state of separation from the Safavid dynasty, and even wanted to condone Nadir's support for the separatist regime, thereby causing some instability to the entire Persia, thereby weakening the central authority of the Safavid dynasty and making it easier They, the people of Qi State, took advantage of it and gained huge political and commercial benefits.

Then, as Nadir's representative, he must make full use of the mentality of the Qi people during the talks, seize the opportunity, and make a sincere "confession" to them.

Whether it is to contain or balance the Safavid dynasty, or to help your Qi State expand its influence into the heart of Central Asia, our Nadir Military Group can do it and is definitely a target that is very worthy of investment by you Qi people.
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"Ambassador Pan, Nadir in the Khorasan region wants to build a good relationship with Qi and seek business and military cooperation and exchanges between the two parties. Do you have any specific advice for us about this?"

A grand welcome dinner was being held at the Qi State's diplomatic mission in India to honor Pan Guangfeng, the general representative to Europe and minister plenipotentiary. All senior military and political officials, military generals, well-known scholars and big businessmen of Qi State stationed in Surat were present. The governor-general of the Mughal Empire stationed in Surat, local princes, and comprador businessmen were also invited to attend the meeting.

The hall of the mansion is richly decorated and filled with exquisite murals and sculptures. Ornate lamp posts emit soft light, illuminating the entire banquet hall. The atmosphere of the dinner was warm and pleasant. Indian musicians played beautiful music, creating a warm atmosphere for the guests. Dozens of beautiful dancers danced in response to the music.

All the guests were dressed in gorgeous costumes, holding wine glasses or holding plates. They gathered together in twos and threes, socializing, and exchanging their experiences and interesting stories.

The food and wine at the dinner are also highlights that cannot be ignored, showing the royal style. The restaurant is filled with a variety of food and wine, which makes people salivate. The whole dinner was filled with laughter and laughter, and beautiful and dignified women and ladies were passing through, making it dizzying.

At the guest of honor seat in the banquet hall, Pan Guangfeng held a wine glass and touched it lightly with Zhai Guangqian, the foreign affairs attaché in India. He took a sip, then picked up a piece of plump fish meat with chopsticks and put it into his mouth, chewing it slowly. With.

"What Ambassador Zhai asked is really difficult for Mr. Pan. Not to mention that I have not personally experienced local affairs in India and Persia and cannot accurately make corresponding judgments. Even if the matter is taboo, I should not attach any importance to it. , feel free to comment.”

"Ambassador Pan is too polite." Zhai Guang said with a smile: "Who doesn't know that Ambassador Pan has been immersed in foreign affairs for more than 20 years, has dealt with many complicated diplomatic disputes, and turned countless conflicts invisible. He is the key to the foreign affairs of our country. The person who carries the cauldron. This time, after being ordered to return to his hometown, I think he will definitely take a step forward, even if he joins the cabinet to pay homage to the prime minister, it is also a matter of course."

"Ambassador Zhai, what you said is a bit flattering to me, Mr. Pan." Pan Guangfeng smiled reservedly, "This time, I was ordered to return to Chang'an, which is a normal diplomatic duty report. As for the arrangements for future affairs. , Your Majesty and the Prime Minister still need to arrange it. Haha, I wish to enter the cabinet to pay homage to the prime minister, but I really don’t dare to hope for it. "

"Ambassador Pan does not need to be so humble. Over the past ten years, Qi has made outstanding achievements in European foreign affairs. Your Majesty and the Prime Minister must have noticed it." He Tingbiao, Qi's fiscal and taxation supervisor in Surat, said: " For His Majesty's enthronement ceremony last year, except for a few small countries in Europe that did not know how to praise others and did not send envoys to Chang'an to congratulate them, almost all major European countries sent distinguished royal family members or government officials as representatives to participate in the ceremony. It really brings honor to our country, and your Majesty and the cabinet must be very satisfied with this. All of this is due to Ambassador Pan’s hard work and efforts over the years! So, how can your Majesty and the Prime Minister treat Ambassador Pan lightly?”

When Pan Guangfeng heard this, although he kept saying he didn't dare, he was very proud in his heart.

Before receiving the recall order from the cabinet, he also received relevant information from China in advance. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lu Gongwei, was seriously ill and had difficulty in governing. All ministry management was delegated to Yu Wenyuan, the Minister of the Left. Take over the position of Minister. However, someone broke the news that Yu Wenyuan had accepted huge donations from Beiming, which allowed the country to "inadvertently" obtain a large amount of Qi's foreign policy against Beiming, which greatly damaged Qi's national interests.

Against this background, the candidate for the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs unexpectedly fell on Pan Guangfeng, recommended by various forces. After he returns to Chang'an and has an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, he will officially take over the position of Minister and become one of the main participants in formulating and establishing the foreign policy of this huge empire.

So, in theory, he had a real say in the Persian Khorasan region, as well as in India's foreign affairs.

However, he has been in officialdom for a long time and has been immersed in foreign affairs for more than 20 years. He has already developed a cautious character. Before being formally appointed, Pan Guangfeng would naturally not dictate or interfere unnecessarily in the foreign affairs of the Indian region.

Moreover, Nadir was just a small warlord leader in the Khorasan region of Persia, and he was not important enough to attract his attention.

"In the past, there were three empires in the Indian Ocean: the Mughals, the Persians and the Ottomans. They all played a decisive role in the entire region. However, now, it can be said that the Mughals and the Persians are both in the hands of our Qi State, taking whatever they want. , Playing around at will. And the Ottoman Empire is also in decline. If it were not supported by Qi State, it would have been eaten up by the European countries and would no longer exist. "Qi State Security Commander in Gujrat, General Guangwei (major general) took a deep breath from his pipe and then blew out a smoke ring leisurely.

"In the next few decades, our Qi State's main strategic concept in the Indian Ocean region is how to achieve complete political, military and economic control over these three empires and gradually transform them into our tributaries and even protectors. This will further consolidate and strengthen our Qi State's absolute dominance in the Indian Ocean Rim region. As long as we firmly control the Indian Ocean, then our Qi State will have a stable strategic rear and huge manpower and material resources, so that we can move forward without hesitation. Navigating the Atlantic Ocean and intervening in the affairs of the European continent, we finally established Qi’s world hegemony.”

"However, in order to achieve all this, it is crucial to be able to completely integrate India into our colonial system." He Tingbiao nodded and glanced up at the Mughals who were drinking and noisy on the west side of the hall. The princes and officials said with a smile: "If we completely conquer this continent with a population of hundreds of millions, then our Qi State will not only have a stable and huge consumer market, but also have endless human resources. No matter what we face, We have enough confidence and strength to face all kinds of challenges.”

"But if we want to completely integrate India into our colonial system, we must crush all the powerful forces on this continent. In this way, we can calmly carry out new plans and new layouts, and knead the entire India into our The way Qi wanted it to be."

"What does it look like?"

"What does it look like?...Well, it would be best to be like the Kingdom of Cochin, a pure puppet kingdom. All affairs are decided by our Qi Kingdom."

(End of this chapter)